1-man anti-poaching cell exists, but only on paper

The Pioneeer , Thursday, January 22, 2009
Correspondent : Prithviraj Singh | Dehradun
Once considered to be a cornerstone in the fight against wildlife crimes, Uttarakhand Government’s anti-poaching cell is in a shambles. The cell had been reeling under staff scarcity and fund crunch for past three years.

According to the sources in State forest department, anti-poaching cell now exist only on papers. In fact, as informed by sources, State forest department had been least concerned for the cell, as all officers posted in it were shifted to other divisions leaving only Director to do all works.

There had been no funds and no staff support since 2006, as officers deputed in the cell were taken back by the forest department. “It’s significant that State anti-poaching cell was created in 2004 following an assurance from the then State Forest Minister Navprabhat. Initially two range officers ranking Assistant Conservator of Forest were deployed for raids and seizures respectively for Garhwal and Kumaon regions,” said Paramjit Singh, Conservator of Forest and Director of anti-poaching Cell.

Later one range officer was appointed to monitor poaching activities in Rajaji National Park, informed Singh, adding that cell granted fund only once ever since its formation. “We got Rs 60,000 in the beginning as office expenditure while no fund was made available after that,” said Singh. Singh also said that the staff deployed in the cell were slowly removed by the forest administration leading the cell to remain only on papers after 2006.

Today, State’s anti-poaching cell is a single man army who is its head as well as errand. And he is the director himself. “I manage to conduct raids and seizures by importing staff from, Nandadevi Biosphere Reserve and Kedarnath Forest Division,” said Singh. According to cell director, WPSI staff were also instrumental in making seizures last year.

Sources say cell lacks on technical fronts as well, like obtaining intelligence support to apprehend poachers or prevent wildlife crimes. Cell was handicapped as a result of Departmental apathy for lack of maintenance. Meanwhile, forest department of late was mulling over a plan to revive the cell. Government has realised that cell was needed with adequate intelligence network, staff support and budgetary allocation.

According to Chief Wildlife Warden Shrikant Chandola, State anti-poaching Cell will be revived soon. “Plan is a foot to appoint a chief conservator as anti poaching cell head who will have a separate budget and entire team of officials to run the organisation,” said Chandola. A well placed source in the department informed that the State Government will appoint the cell head before Lok Sabha elections as it has been feeling the pangs of uncontrolled poaching of wildlife in State’s forest areas.

 
SOURCE : Thursday, January 22, 2009
 


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